Do you check your running footwear for wear patterns?

Let's discuss your training footwear and what you can learn from a quick visual "running shoes review". These running tips about your athletic shoes can help reduce injuries and increase the benefits of running for you. So grab your running footwear and follow along...

First, examine your old shoes for obvious wear patterns. Wear patterns are the areas on your running shoes worn smooth by constant use. By doing so, the runner can get some ideas about which running shoes type might be best for him or her.

Okay, you've looked at your footwear. Now let's talk about running terms like "foot strike". This refers to the area of the running shoes that makes contact with the ground.

The majority of runners are heel strikers -- their running shoes land on the outside of the heel. Then their jogging footwear rolls up to push off the ball of the foot and the toes. A few runners are forefoot strikers and their trainer shoes land more on the ball of the foot.

So what does the wear pattern on running footwear tell us about foot strike? The running shoes of a forefoot striker will show a smooth spot around the ball of the foot. If so, this athlete may need running footwear with extra forefoot cushioning.

If you are a super heavy heel striker, then choose running footwear with more cushioning in the heel of your running shoes. There are a few outstanding online running stores offering quality running footwear. Take a minute to look around.

For more running information, take a look at the following menu topics:

Running Shoes | Trail Running Shoes| Women's Running Shoes | Running Shoes FAQ | Running Shoes - Terms